England fans set for £1bn spending spree

Football fans are set to spend nearly £1-billion supporting England this summer, splashing out on everything from flights to Portugal to new team strips, according to new research.

People who stay in the UK for Euro 2004 will spend an average of £68 each on team merchandise and food and drink for match parties during the tournament, a total of £894-million.

Those travelling to watch the tournament live look set to collectively spend £79.7-million, an average of £1,594 each, on flights,

accommodation, tickets for matches and food and drink while they are away, according to Capital One.

Credit card spend

The group said around 15% of the money spent by fans staying at home looks set to be put on credit cards, while fans travelling to Portugal will use their plastic for 53% of their expenditure.

Rob Habgood, of Capital One, said: "Our research shows that if England make it to the final, 130,000 people would be willing to pay over £1,000 for a ticket.

"Those of us with less cash to spend will have to make do with hosting our own parties and enjoying a drink or two at home to celebrate the England team's triumphs and tears."

People living in the North West who are planning to follow the tournament from home look set to spend the most, splashing out an average of £87 each hosting parties and buying merchandise, while, unsurprisingly, those in Scotland will spend the least at £52 each.